What's happening
The bill requires 16- and 17-year-olds to wear helmets when operating class one or class two electric bicycles.
Why it matters
Extends helmet requirements to older teens. By requiring 16- and 17-year-olds to wear helmets on class one and class two e-bikes, the law fills a gap in existing helmet laws, which previously focused on younger riders, potentially reducing head injuries among a demographic increasingly using e-bikes for work or recreation.
Defines clear enforcement and penalty structure. The bill establishes a civil fine of up to $50 for violations, but also includes mechanisms to waive the fine if a helmet is purchased or rented after the offense, or in cases of economic hardship, making enforcement more adaptable and less punitive for low-income youth.
Aligns safety standards and administrative procedures. By mandating that helmets must meet commissioner-established standards and be securely fastened, the law ensures consistency in safety equipment. It also updates administrative procedures so courts can waive or adjust fines in line with other bicycle helmet laws, streamlining compliance and enforcement.
Reflects broader public health and safety priorities. As e-bikes grow in popularity, especially among teens, the law responds to concerns about rising accident rates and injury severity, aiming to balance increased mobility options with enhanced safety measures.
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Who cares
16- and 17-year-old Class 1 and Class 2 e-bike riders
They would have to wear properly fitting helmets that meet commissioner-established standards, with straps securely fastened, or face civil fines of up to $50.
Courts handling helmet violations
They would have to waive fines for riders who prove they bought or rented a helmet between the violation and court appearance, and could waive fines for economic hardship.
State and local helmet distribution programs
A rider’s inability to obtain a helmet through these programs because of economic hardship would be grounds for a discretionary fine waiver.
Headline styles
Helmets for Teen E-Bikers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.934
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Teen E-Bike Helmets
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1542
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2025
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring certain persons to wear a helmet when operating a class one or class two bicycle with electric assist
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1238 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5-d to read as follows:
5-d. No person sixteen or seventeen years of age shall ride upon, propel or otherwise operate a class one bicycle with electric assist or a class two bicycle with electric assist unless such person is wearing a helmet meeting standards established by the commissioner. For the purposes of this subdivision, wearing a helmet means having a properly fitting helmet fixed securely on the head of such wearer with the helmet straps securely fastened.
§ 2. Subdivision 6 of section 1238 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 6 of part XX of chapter 58 of the laws of 2020, is amended to read as follows:
6. (a) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision five, five-a, five-b [or], five-c, or five-d of this section shall pay a civil fine not to exceed fifty dollars.
(b) The court shall waive any fine for which a person who violates the provisions of subdivision five [or subdivision], five-c, or five-d of this section would be liable if such person supplies the court with proof that between the date of violation and the appearance date for such violation such person purchased or rented a helmet.
(c) The court may waive any fine for which a person who violates the provisions of subdivision five, five-a, five-b, [or] five-c, or five-d of this section would be liable if the court finds that due to reasons of economic hardship such person was unable to purchase a helmet or due
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02756-01-5
to such economic hardship such person was unable to obtain a helmet from the statewide in-line skate and bicycle helmet distribution program, as established in section two hundred six of the public health law, or a local distribution program. Such waiver of a fine shall not apply to a second or subsequent violation of subdivision five-c of this section.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring certain persons to wear a helmet when operating a class one or class two bicycle with electric assist
Purpose
To provide that anyone sixteen and seventeen years of age must wear a helmet when riding or operating a class one or two electric bicycle.
Summary of provisions
Section one adds a new subdivision 5-d to section 1238 of the vehicle and traffic law to provide that no person aged sixteen or seventeen shall operate or ride on a class one or class two electric bicycle unless they are wearing a helmet.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
Current law requires helmet usage for operators and passengers of class three electric bicycles. However, there is no helmet requirement in the law for class one and class two e-bikes. Operators and passengers on any class of c-bike must be aged sixteen or older. This legislation will require operators and passengers of class one and two e-bikes who are ages sixteen and seventeen to wear a helmet. Addressing this gap in the law is necessary to ensure that everyone riding on any class of e-bike has the protection of a helmet in the event of a fall or collision.
Furthermore, although e-bikes are being increasingly adopted as an eco- friendly, cheaper alternative to driving, they do pose risks of injury that could be mitigated through helmet use. As compared to traditional bicycles, e-bike riders involved in accidents have a higher rate of traumatic brain injuries and nearly twice the rate of internal injuries as compared to cyclists. This legislation is necessary to enhance the safety of those using class one and two e-bikes and to prevent avoidable injuries.
Fiscal impact
None.
Legislative history
2023-2024: S.9037 (May) / A.3073-B (Paulin)
Effective date
On April 1 after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.